‘A recession is too good of an opportunity to waste’
I thought my ears were deceiving me because of the early hour this morning at the annual Legislative Outlook Breakfast, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Identity Clark County and the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
But my ears were just fine because the message was pretty clear from the seven legislators on the panel: Yes, there is a hefty projected state deficit looming on the horizon, but with it, comes great opportunity.
“Don’t waste the crisis,” said Rep.-elect Jim Jacks (D-49th District). “This is an opportunity…we get to choose how to respond to the doom and gloom and reevaluate how we do things.”
The door is wide open for policy changes, said Sen. Joseph Zarelli (R-18th District).
“Having a long-term outlook when we have a short-term crisis is a difficult thing to do,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-15th District).
But if we can keep that long-term vision, we can develop a better economic environment. In that quest, legislators, we wish you luck.
-Megan Patrick-Vaughn can be reached at mpatrick@vbjusa.com
